By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.

As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values that capture the spirit of how we work. These values include being: Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative.

Who are we looking for?

We have a great opportunity for a Materials Engineer to join Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) team. This role will support a growing team of Materials Scientists and Engineers dedicated to the development of solutions for the first prototype fusion power plant in the UK, STEP. You will contribute to the development of materials data, materials selection and support for structural integrity assessment for in-vessel fusion components. (1) Materials database support, (2) Materials selection, (3) Materials testing, (4) Material failure analysis, (5) Irradiation and (6) Engineering support

The extreme environment anticipated within STEP pushes materials into uncharted territory that is impossible to represent and test for until the first reactor becomes operational.

If you have a degree in a relevant subject with subsequent experience in industry and/or academia as well as strong analytical skills, organisation good communication and influencing skills, then we would like to hear from you.

What will you be responsible for?

• Reporting to STEP programme, providing support to develop our detailed technical knowledge (coordinating materials suitability assessments, conducting literature reviews and developing technical reports and presentations) you will be expected to make materials selection/usage recommendations based on the data collected.
• Contributing to the functionality of the STEP materials database (evaluating materials data to determine suitability for design properties and the importing of materials data).
• Understanding the structural behaviour of materials and contribute to the development of design rules for materials and the qualification of materials for use within STEP.
• Participating in UKAEA`s research programmes on materials for fusion (organisation, management and undertaking of short and long-term projects)
• Working with external collaborators (including universities, public sector research establishments and industry in fusion and related fields) in order to complement UKAEAs internal capability, offer access to additional expert knowledge and to facilitate new project proposals.
• Proposing, securing funding and contribute to delivery of novel projects aligned with internal strategy (e.g. STEP, EUROfusion PPPT Enabling Research, EPSRC, PhD, Masters placements, graduates).
• Representing UKAEA at both domestic and international conferences, as well as at various meetings and functions as required.

Please note that occasional travel and working with radioactive materials will be required. All training will be provided.

Essential skills, experience and competence required

• A degree in a relevant subject with subsequent experience in industry and/or academia.
• Understanding of materials microstructure and its effect of material properties as well as understanding of material properties and their effect on failure modes.
• Ability to work well within a team and able to readily articulate complex technical information to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment / materials research group / experimental campaign.
• Ability to deliver high-quality results to tight timescales and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable skills, experience and competence

• A good understanding of nuclear environments and irradiation damage.
• Experience in structural integrity assessments and/or engineering design codes in safety critical applications and with Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• A track-record of disseminating results via report writing or publication

What we offer

• A competitive salary  
• A culture committed to being fully inclusive, supported by a Being Inclusive Strategy and Inclusion Ambassadors 
• An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and wellbeing initiatives 
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies  
• Emergency leave (paid) 
• 30.5 days annual leave (including privilege days and 3 days between Christmas and New Year) increased with length of service 
• Wide range of career development opportunities (e.g professional registration, internal promotions, coaching and mentoring programme)  
• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme  
• Annual corporate bonus scheme  
• Relocation allowance (if eligible) 

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities, (visible and hidden) and women. The Executive team with support from our EDI ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success. We are easily accessible by car and are a 10-minute walk from Culham Railway Station in Oxfordshire.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 30.10.2021 . We may close earlier than this date if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.

Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions (convictions considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or will confirm that there are no such convictions.